Date: 2009-03-01
After first entering Timor Leste in 2004, Community Housing Limited’s commitment to this burgeoning nation has seen numerous projects completed, and a role in rebuilding that has incorporated civic and residential construction. CHL’s consistent presence in Dili had extended relationships and opportunities to the organisation that had been previously unattainable by other NFPs.
“As we’ve become integrated into the Timor Leste community, we can see the positive impact our work is having, not only in the construction of new facilities but in the training programs we run as part of the operation and the ripple effect these work opportunities have through society. It’s been very encouraging,” says Steve Bevington, CHL’s Managing Director.
The projects that CHL has undertaken across the last three years can be summarized as follows:
2006
In 2006 CHL built seven demonstration homes in Tibar, about 30 minutes drive from Dili. CHL provided on-the-job training and work experience for local vocational graduates and tradesmen. This experience proved to a range of key stakeholders that CHL could help improve housing standards for the people of Timor Leste on a much larger scale.
CHL’s success in this project was assisted by the generous encouragement and support of the Ministry of Labor and Community Reinsertion and its Vocational Training Centre in Tibar (CNEFP), the Ministry of Education, and its vocational training centre in Becora (Senai), the Ministry of Public Works, the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Alola Foundation, as well as the Tibar community.
CHL also assisted local organistions Servi Nasaun and ILO in renovating five police stations (Comoro, Bidau, UNDIL, Bebonuk and Hera) and also constructed a “Sport for Peace” facility at Kampo Alor.
2007
CHL built a modular transportable shelter for use as short term housing for refugees. Other projects in the development phase include the construction of a childcare centre, two donor funded houses and six district employment offices.
2008
CHL embarked upon two new projects. Bauccau saw the completion of its employment facility. CHL overcame numerous obstacles, including successfully negotiating the difficult terrain, as well as making use of as many local materials as possible.
The organisation also supported local NGO’s by providing affordable, reliable, quality maintenance service. CHL demonstrated its maintenance capability through servicing the building of a local disability service. Customer satisfaction continues to be high based on quality, timeliness, and cost. A temporary school at the Metinaro Internally Displaced Persons Camp was completed.
Through the Alola Foundation (headed by Kirsty Sword Gusmao) CHL completed three modular units for an Orphanage in Bario Pite, the hardest hit suburb during the unrest of 2006.
Other projects included the completion of a temporary school at the Sparrow Force Memorial in Dare, as well as a community run café.
A design project for schools, sponsored by Conoco Philips, was also completed.
The first stage of the Ahi Saun Disability project was completed and stage 2, the main building is well underway. Design work was completed for a 10 unit development for Mega Tours at Taibesse. There are plans for this project to be the site to be used as on-the-job training for trade skills in 2009.
Future
CHL envisions the development of a professional residential building industry in Timor Leste over the next 10 years that could provide training and employment for up to 10% of the working population.
“This is an exciting and necessary element in Timor Leste’s future growth. CHL is prepared to provide significant resources to assist in this development,” says Mr. Bevington.
Future projects could also include a private housing development in the Dili suburb of Taibesse. While this suburb was the site of civil unrest in 2006, CHL believes sufficient progress could be made to engender the confidence of people to invest in development, which will be a very positive development for the country.